Budtenders:
Join us on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, for a special Budtender Day and experience product sampling, networking, and more!
Grow Up gives you the opportunity to connect with hundreds of industry professionals, top brands, growers, breeders, discover new products, and grow your career.
Includes Networking Party at the El Mocambo
Tuesday May 27, 2025
8pm – 2pm
Grow Up is more than a sampling event:
- Explore Product Sampling
- Connect with Leading Brands
- Expand Your Knowledge
- Meet top growers and breeders
- Take part in our Seed Exchange and Genetics Area
- Elevate your career
- Mingle at our Official Networking Party
Buy Your Tickets

Don’t Miss Budtender Day – Wednesday, May 28, 2025
To make this event even more accessible, we’re offering a special $30 Budtender Day on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. This discounted ticket grants you access to the Brands and Buyers Zone and consumption lounge.
GETTING HERE IS EASY
Grow Up is located at the Pearson Conference Centre, 2638 Steeles Ave E. and is easily accesible by bus. Feel free to use the Trip Planner
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Allesen Skead
General Manager,
The Reef Store by the Lake
Canada -
Atiyyah Ferouz
Founder,
AgCann Consultancy
Canada -
Jami-Lee Baxter
Chief Commissioner,
Six Nations Cannabis Commission
Canada -
Leslie Powless
Commissioner,
Six Nations Cannabis Commission
Canada
Panel Description:
This panel brings together Indigenous cannabis producers and representatives from Indigenous cannabis commissions to share their experiences navigating a system that often fails to reflect their realities. Panelists will discuss why many Indigenous communities have developed their own regulatory frameworks, the challenges of operating without a Health Canada license, and the barriers that exist when attempting to access broader markets, genetics, and fair licensing pathways. This session offers licensed producers and industry stakeholders an honest look at the current landscape - and the need for meaningful inclusion, equity, and collaboration in Canada’s legal cannabis industry.
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Andrew Baukham
Founder & CEO,
Leven Therapeutics Inc.
Canada -
Dan Pomerantz
Founder / CEO,
Rebel Grown
USA -
Dr. Av Singh
Executive Director,
Scotian Cannabis Alliance
Canada -
Martin Johnston
CEO / Co-Founder,
Lune Rise Farms
Canada -
Tim Balogh
CEO,
Farmaira Cannabis
Canada
Panel Description:
This session features seasoned outdoor cannabis farmers and outdoor cannabis genetic breeders who will share their firsthand insights on commercial-scale outdoor cultivation. Learn about how genetics bred for specific outdoor climates can achieve a greater resistance towards pathogenic and environmental challenges, causing more consistent yields and greater final sale prices. Discover the true cost differences between outdoor, greenhouse, and indoor cultivation methods, and learn why outdoor production may prove to be an effective business model as the industry continues to stabilize. Attendees will also gain best agricultural practices unique to outdoor cannabis farming, helping new outdoor growers avoid common pitfalls and capitalize on opportunities that indoor and greenhouse growers might overlook.
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Dr. Av Singh
Executive Director,
Scotian Cannabis Alliance
Canada -
Jason Bent
Director of Policy Research,
Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA)
Panel Description:
Do you grow cannabis in Ontario? Please join our special guest speaker, Jason Bent, Director of Policy Research at the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), to learn how cannabis farmers can become part of Ontario’s largest general farm organization - one that proudly represents 38,000 family farm members across Ontario.
Discover how the Farm Property Class Tax Rate program might benefit your cannabis farming operation, and see how OFA’s advocacy, policy work, and local leadership initiatives support a stronger, more sustainable future for cannabis farmers across the province. Whether you’re seeking to reduce costs, navigate regulatory challenges, or join a community of like-minded farmers, this special presentation offers a direct path to the resources and expertise that will help cannabis growers thrive under the OFA banner.
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Cody Funderburk
Cannabis Retail Strategist,
The Joint Seattle
USA -
Janani Nadesananthan
National Director of Retail Sales,
Independent Retail Cannabis Collective
Canada -
Jennifer Maccarone
Consultant,
Total GxP Inc.
Canada -
Keith Bao
Managing Partner,
AVEO Vapour Devices
Canada -
Kori Ainsworth
VP of Quality & Regulatory Affairs,
Cannabis Co-pack
Canada
Panel Description:
Ambitious supervisors seeking to move beyond middle management are often faced with nonstop responsibilities in the cannabis industry. This panel takes a firm stance on pushing through ordinary fatigue, while underscoring the real differences between feeling tired and truly reaching a breaking point. Expert speakers – who have successfully transitioned from manager to leader – will share coping strategies that maintain mental health, promote strong performance, and keep pace with industry demands. Attendees will leave equipped with practical strategies to stay focused, sustain their well-being, and advance into higher-level roles without letting everyday challenges become an excuse.
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Coleman Retzlaff
National Director of Sales - Agriculture,
Quest Climate
USA -
Dave Iacovelli
Director of Grow Eyewear,
Method Seven
USA -
Eric Coulombe
North American Sales Agent,
Grow-Genius North America
USA -
Henrique Dias
CEO,
BudTrainer
Canada -
Kirk Glendining
International Sales Manager,
Athena Nutrients
USA -
Leigh-Ann Clarke
Director of Sales (Canada),
HC Companies x CHG
Canada -
Sean Mosher
Regional Sales Manager North-East/Canada,
Bluelab
Canada -
Shay Vitonsky
Sales & Marketing Director,
DYNOMYCO
Israel -
Tyler Stanley
Sales & Business Development,
CANNA Canada Corp.
Netherlands
Please Note: Seating is limited and the event is strictly for cannabis growers. Admission to this special event is by invite-only.
If you're a grower, apply to attend below for your chance to receive an invite to The Grower's Luncheon.
ALL GROWERS & BREEDERS MUST APPLY
BY COMPLETING THE FORM
IN THE LINK BELOW:
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Dia Friedman
Ontario Sales Manager,
Woody Nelson Inc.
Canada -
Hannah Treadway
Territory Sales Manager,
FIGR
Canada -
Imran Rashid
Founder,
Extractwise
Canada -
Nayyir Sunderji
Director of Business Development,
CannSell by WKT
Canada
Panel Description:
This session explores high-demand skillsets and abilities that have propelled many budtenders into supervisory, management, and even brand-representative roles in the industry. Aimed at ambitious budtenders and middle managers eager to move up, attendees will learn about the impact of intentional mentorship - how to seek it, build meaningful relationships with potential mentors, and effectively request guidance to become a stronger professional. Attendees will takeaway a clear roadmap for developing the right in-demand skills and invaluable connections needed to evolve and thrive in leadership positions within a highly competitive cannabis retail landscape.
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Clifford Tindall
Owner/Manager,
Spiritleaf (Little Italy)
Canada -
Katy Perry
Owner,
Toke Cannabis
Canada -
Thomas Esufali
Owner,
Cannabis Hut
Canada -
Yasas Weerasingha
CEO,
High Society
Canada
Panel Description:
If you’re a cannabis producer or retail professional, this session will give you a firsthand look at the winning approaches behind Ontario’s highest-performing recreational cannabis retailers. Attendees will discover which retailers are commanding the market, the products driving top-tier sales, how these retailers learn about upcoming consumer trends, and how they consistently meet their target customer's demands in a fast-paced market. Attendees will gain insights into the next steps these leading retailers plan to take for continued profitability and building stronger customer loyalty. Network and learn from experienced, high-performing Ontario retail professionals, only at Grow Up Conference & Expo.
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Cody Funderburk
Cannabis Retail Strategist,
The Joint Seattle
USA -
Jaime Lipowitz
Founder,
High Buds Club
Canada -
Katy Perry
Owner,
Toke Cannabis
Canada -
Sanela Jovic
Territory Manager,
Auxly
Canada
Panel Description:
This session is designed for experienced budtenders, supervisors, and retail owners who want to learn how to improve sales performance in Ontario. Learn proven techniques to increase conversion rates, move product faster, and grow basket sizes - both in-store and online. Industry experts will share industry-specific strategies to upsell effectively at checkout, guide customers with confidence, and maximize revenue while maintaining a positive, compliant retail experience.